Chris Petersen signs first recruiting class with Dawgs

February 7, 2014 6:37 PM

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On Wednesday, while most of Seattle jammed the streets to celebrate the Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII victory, Chris Petersen introduced his first recruiting class as head coach of the Washington Huskies. After taking over for the departing Steve Sarkisian in early December, Petersen had less than two months to assemble a full class for the Dawgs. He did just that, signing 24 prospects to national letters of intent, several of whom had been committed to him at Boise State before he took over at Washington.

While the initial rankings don't impress as much as the Huskies' final couple of classes under Sarkisian -- 247Sports ranked the class No. 37 in the country and seventh in the Pac-12 -- Petersen has been known as someone who can develop lesser-ranked players and turn them into pro-level prospects by the end of their college careers. The fact that signing day came and went on Seahawks parade day is perhaps a fitting beginning for a mostly under-the-radar group.

So who will be taking the field for Petersen and the Huskies in the years to come? Click through the gallery to meet some of the newest Dawgs.

On Wednesday, while most of Seattle jammed the streets to celebrate the Seahawks' Super Bowl XLVIII victory, Chris Petersen introduced his first recruiting class as head coach of the Washington Huskies. After

On Wednesday, while most of Seattle jammed the streets to... Photo-5845025.79443 - seattlepi.com

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S Budda Baker | 5-10/180 | Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue)

The consensus gem of the Huskies’ class, Baker had been committed to Oregon before flipping to Washington late in the process. The two-way star won three consecutive 3A state championships for the Wolverines was named the AP State Player of the Year while seeing action at safety, running back and return specialist. He was ranked the No. 1 player in Washington and No. 6 athlete in the country.

The only quarterback in the 2014 class was a former Vanderbilt commit who reopened his recruitment when head coach James Franklin left Vandy for Penn State. 247Sports ranked him the No. 11 pro-style quarterback in the country, and older brother Austyn just finished his college career at Vanderbilt. A compact quarterback who brings to mind former Boise State star and current Detroit Lion Kellen Moore.

Gaines had been committed to Petersen at Boise State, and Petersen was happy to bring the big boy to Seattle. A huge body who will be counted on to play inside, the No. 48 ranked defensive tackle in the country should team with a strong group of linemen from last year’s class to help the Dawgs stay stout up front.

Another defensive back, Gardenhire continues the strong Southern California pipeline for the Huskies. After collecting 96 tackles in his senior season, Gardenhire committed to UW after flipping from Wazzu. He’ll get a shot at playing cornerback, but don’t be surprised if he ends up at safety.

The son of late rapper Nate Dogg was an unexpected addition to the Dawgs’ class after flipping from Arizona late in the process. With the Huskies graduating three starters and a top backup from the defensive backfield, the No. 23-ranked cornerback in the country may get a chance to prove himself early.

Another former Boise State commit, Johnson chose the Huskies over offers from Cal, Oregon, Arizona State, Miami, Notre Dame and USC, among others. He’ll be expected to give the Dawgs pass-rush help in a couple of seasons, if not sooner.

Yet another defensive back, the former UCLA commit seems to be one of Petersen’s favorites in the class. McIntosh was a little bit under the radar, and fits the profile of many of Petersen’s best players at Boise State, holding offers from Colorado State, Minnesota, Wyoming and San Jose State, among others.

The only wide receiver in the class may be called upon to contribute sooner than expected if Damore’ea Stringfellow — last year’s top recruit — was suspended indefinitely following a post-Super Bowl altercation. He certainly has the pedigree to play: his father Gary played 11 season in Major League Baseball and his brother Austin left Boise State as the school’s leading receiver before being drafted by St. Louis.

Sample had been long committed to Boise State before flipping to UW in December, just days after Petersen took the Huskies job. The No. 4 prospect in the state basically switched places with Chase Blakley, who had committed to the Dawgs before moving on to Boise. Sample is already touted for his blocking, and Petersen will hope he develops into a threat in the receiving game.